Senior design project for students from Wright State University evaluated optimal size for equipment symbols to be used on process graphics. Different size pump symbols were tested with different numbers of distractors. Symbols with over 17 minutes of visual arc (17.4) yielded the best result.
Determine the minimum size a pump symbol can be, given a set number of distracters. Independent variables tested include shape, complexity, size, and the number of distracters around the symbol. Distracters are considered any visual other than the target symbol.
- How small can a Pump Symbol be without losing its visual integrity?
- How do distracters affect system efficiency?
The pump symbol must be consistently recognized as a pump by petrochemical company operators at a minimum size to increase display real estate, enabling more information output. Ensuring the pump symbol is consistently recognized as such is critical to reducing the cognitive workload of operators viewing multiple screens for extended periods of time.
Presentation in June 2011 and a Final Report